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Booker High School looks to stretch winning streak

Venice High School claimed its first victory of the 2013 Academic Olympic season, managing to best Suncoast Polytechnic High School, 63-32. The Venice team for the first two rounds were, from left: Patrizio Murdocca, Robert Rainer, Adam McLaughln, and Lisa Fusco.

PHOTO BY KEN HAGGERTY

By KEN HAGGERTYCorrespondent

Published: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 10:28 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 10:28 a.m.

Emerging with a 3-1 record as the final weeks of the 2013 Academic Olympics season beckon, Booker High School will travel to Suncoast Polytechnic this week looking to maintain a late-season flourish of wins.

Coming off a 65-52 victory against North Port last week, the Tornadoes believe the prospect of a return to the competition's finals early next month is within their grasp.

So far, the team has scored notable victories against Cardinal Mooney, Venice and North Port, with the only blemish on their scorecard being a dispiriting 158-58 loss to heavy hitters Pine View.

Last week, Venice High welcomed Suncoast Polytechnical for a match that would represent an inaugural win for either team.

Despite a low-scoring first round, Venice maintained the advantage.

"We feel we have as great an intellectual capacity as the other schools taking part in the competition," Indian Patrizio Murdocca said. "I feel I can help represent the best of Venice High."

Second-round points proved hard to come by, but the Indians maintained a steady pace, settling into the third round with a 52-23 advantage.

Suncoast veteran Sheldon McCloud remained positive.

"The questions seem to get harder, but we've improved as a team this year" the junior said. "I feel we're working together better than previous years."

The Indians, including Robert Rainer, Adam McLaughlin and Lisa Fusco, eventually rallied to a long-awaited 63-32 victory.

In other matches last week, Pine View maintained its perfect record, with a 149-92 win over Sarasota. Sailors co-coach Austin Dunk realized the potential for an upset was slim, but he said he was happy with the Sailors' performance.

"We've recovered from our initial jitters and are accumulating the points," he said.

Booker sneaked a last-gasp win over North Port 65-52, but Bobcats coach Karyn Strauss was far from disappointed.

"They were a strong team in every area," Strauss said, referring to Booker. "We weren't, and in the end the match slipped away from us."

Riverview maintained its perfect record, despite a determined counterpunch late in the game, winning 94-85 over Cardinal Mooney.

The Cougars' Kathy Jewell gave a shout-out to Sean Rosensweig for his performance.

"I'm happy to have him on the team," Jewell said. "He's a steadying influence. But all my team are exceptional. We're in this competition to do our best."

<p>Emerging with a 3-1 record as the final weeks of the 2013 Academic Olympics season beckon, Booker High School will travel to Suncoast Polytechnic this week looking to maintain a late-season flourish of wins.</p><p>Coming off a 65-52 victory against North Port last week, the Tornadoes believe the prospect of a return to the competition's finals early next month is within their grasp.</p><p>So far, the team has scored notable victories against Cardinal Mooney, Venice and North Port, with the only blemish on their scorecard being a dispiriting 158-58 loss to heavy hitters Pine View.</p><p>Last week, Venice High welcomed Suncoast Polytechnical for a match that would represent an inaugural win for either team.</p><p>Despite a low-scoring first round, Venice maintained the advantage.</p><p>"We feel we have as great an intellectual capacity as the other schools taking part in the competition," Indian Patrizio Murdocca said. "I feel I can help represent the best of Venice High."</p><p>Second-round points proved hard to come by, but the Indians maintained a steady pace, settling into the third round with a 52-23 advantage.</p><p>Suncoast veteran Sheldon McCloud remained positive.</p><p>"The questions seem to get harder, but we've improved as a team this year" the junior said. "I feel we're working together better than previous years."</p><p>His teammates are Jorge Carrasco, Anthony Alibro, Tyler Sherknus, Erik Palm and Helen Liu.</p><p>The Indians, including Robert Rainer, Adam McLaughlin and Lisa Fusco, eventually rallied to a long-awaited 63-32 victory.</p><p>In other matches last week, Pine View maintained its perfect record, with a 149-92 win over Sarasota. Sailors co-coach Austin Dunk realized the potential for an upset was slim, but he said he was happy with the Sailors' performance.</p><p>"We've recovered from our initial jitters and are accumulating the points," he said.</p><p>Booker sneaked a last-gasp win over North Port 65-52, but Bobcats coach Karyn Strauss was far from disappointed.</p><p>"They were a strong team in every area," Strauss said, referring to Booker. "We weren't, and in the end the match slipped away from us."</p><p>Riverview maintained its perfect record, despite a determined counterpunch late in the game, winning 94-85 over Cardinal Mooney.</p><p>The Cougars' Kathy Jewell gave a shout-out to Sean Rosensweig for his performance.</p><p>"I'm happy to have him on the team," Jewell said. "He's a steadying influence. But all my team are exceptional. We're in this competition to do our best."</p>